Fort Recovery girls can’t get offense started

ST. HENRY, Ohio — The Indians don’t boast a roster that is blessed with an abundance of experience.

When those who have experience struggle to score, it can be tough times for the Tribe.

Offensive struggles in the first and third quarters held the Fort Recovery High School girls basketball team back as St. Henry walked away with a 43-21 victory Friday.

The Indians (2-7) struggled early as St. Henry raced out to an 11-0 lead. FRHS battled back late in the first quarter, finishing on a 7-2 run. Makenna Huelskamp and Karlie Niekamp got the offense jump started with a three and a layup respectively while Cali Wendel and Saige Leuthold both hit 1-of-2 free throws.

Fort Recovery matched St. Henry (8-1) with eight second-quarter points. Niekamp hit three shots while Huelskamp added another. Things fell apart for the Indians in the third period. St. Henry’s ball pressure became too much as FRHS could barely get shots off before the ball would get swiped away and taken down to the other end of the floor.

Fort Recovery’s only point came on a free throw from Leuthold midway through the period. Five players from SHHS scored in the third period to total 12 points. St. Henry held a 33-16 lead entering the final period. Lauren Thieman had the only basket for SHHS in the final period as she hit a three, but it still put up another seven points from the charity stripe.

Morgan Baumer was the leading scorer in the game, putting up 13 points for St. Henry. Thieman was next with eight.

Niekamp led the way for Fort Recovery with eight. Huelskamp was held quiet in the second half to only score five.

Leuthold, Kennedy Muhlenkamp and Wendel rounded out the scoring with four, three and one point, respectively.